8 Basic Kitchen Essentials To Make Mouth-Watering Pakodas #MonsoonSpecials
Come monsoon and we're all craving for pakodas or fritters because oily, greasy and tasty is what makes for a happy rainy season. The very first drops of rain nostalgic moments you spent with your favourite tea-time snacks, chai and pakodas! Thank God, we're in the age of Amazon that brings home deliveries in a jiffy. So, prep for pakoda weekends and monsoon parties by stalking these essentials in bulk to keep you warm throughout the season.
1. Besan or gram flour
First things first, besan is the most important ingredient to make the delicious pakodas and Amazon pantry is the best place to order in your stalk for the season.
If you don't have one of those deep woks at home, you need one right now. Because anything fried needs to have a minimum of 4-5" depth and a non-stick feature is just an icing on the cake.
A very important essential needed especially when frying is in play. A special oil strainer or just a simple flat ladle with holes to drain off the excess oil makes the pakodas less oily.
4. Oil
Oil with no-flavour is preferred to fry pakodas, like sunflower oil, canola oil or olive oil. Oils like mustard oil and coconut oil have its own flavour and smell, therefore they can be avoided.
5. Carom seeds or Ajwain
Bringing out the flavour of pakodas, carom seeds are used generously in the batter to keep your digestive system happy.
6. Chilli Powder
What's life without some spice? A sprinkle of chilli or paprika powder makes a world of a difference to bring out the flavours of onions, potatoes, or fenugreek from the pakodas.
7. Salt
Varieties of salt have flooded the market and without much fuss you can indulge in rock salt, Himalayan pink salt or Epsom salt.
8. Kitchen Tissues
Now, this is a really crucial process in frying: To lay a layer or two of tissues on a plate before ladling the pakodas on it. It soaks up all the excess oil and leaves you with a less greasy pakoda between your fingers.
These were basic kitchen essentials you'd need if you're a beginner and are craving for homemade pakodas that can elevate your monsoon experience like no other. All you have to do is get fresh onions, potatoes or fenugreek to add in the pakodas to make the recipe of your choice and Voila! Enjoy the monsoons.
Shreya Jalavadia
Think of her as a delicacy. She could be a red sauce penne pasta or refreshing strawberry smoothie. A little sweet, quite tangy and unapologetic on the palate. Her soul is that of a gastronome, mind of an illustrator and heart of a writer. She uses these ingredients to plate up tasty stories about food at India Food Network as an Associate Editor. Be it her blogs, articles, reviews or food shows; she promises a wholesome affair.
